by Rebirose Erlwin B. Pacada

The newly elected set of leaders of the city of Calamba officially held their seats in the Ceremonial oath taking and turnover ceremony on July 1, Monday morning in the City Hall of Calamba. Judge Alberto Serrano of Regional Trial Court in Calamba City led the oath taking ceremonies.

Newly elected councilors made their oath taking led by Judge Alberto Serrano.

Justin Marc SB Chipeco won as the city’s new mayor along with his running mate for vice mayor, Roseller Rizal. The members of the new set of councilors include Edgardo Catindig, Ruth Hernandez, Moises Morales, Peewee Perez, Lian Aldabe, Christian Lajara, Luis Baroro, Maria Virginia Alcasid, Jose Morel Manaig, and Santiago Atienza.

Mayor Justin Chipeco took his oath with his family by his side.

Laguna Second District Representative Joaquin Chipeco Jr., the outgoing mayor of Calamba and the father of Mayor Justin Chipeco, turned over to his son the medal of honor and the political files and documents of his term. Some of these documents include the state of local report, annual investment plan and capability development plan during the ceremonies.

Representative Chipeco, Calamba outgoing mayor, handed the official files of his term to his son.

Representative Chipeco urged the residents of Calamaba to remain united and continue to collaborate for the new aims and objectives of the incoming term of his son. He also presented the accomplishments of his term, which includes the awarding of Calamba City with the seal of good housekeeping, most business component friendly city, completion of Jose Rizal’s highest statue, and the ongoing construction of the regional government center of Laguna in the city.

Timmy Chipeco, in his first speech as Calamaba City mayor,  asked the people to give him a chance to prove that they were not wrong in electing him as their leader.

As the term of the new set of city officials begins, Calamba residents shared their expectations and identified different concerns that they hope the new set of officials can focus on.

Rosario Jervoso, a resident of Calamba, said that she wants the mayor to resolve the issue on traffic since the bridge in Parian is being renovated. Armie Latayan, a housewife, said that historical sights should be maintained like the house of Rizal since these places make Calamba well known. She also said that “ Dahil kakaupo niya pa lang as mayor, kilalanin muna n’ya ang taong nakapligid sa kanya. Mag-uumpisa kasi ang pagkakaroon ng magandang termino kung hindi lang ang namumuno ang tapat. Dapat lahat.” Carmela Marchadesch, a student, said that she expects the new mayor to focus on environmental problems since the issue in floods is worsening. She thinks it would be relevant if he will implement a project regarding the cleaning up of Laguna de Bay.

The ceremony ended with the hanging of the new mayor’s portrait as the 22nd frame in line with the previous Calamba leaders.